Edmonton seeks more public input on neighbourhood speed zones

City councillors are asking for more input from Edmontonians before deciding whether to change speed limits in neighbourhood areas.

A survey found 62 per cent of respondents were in favour of reducing the speed limit on neighbourhood roads from 50 km/h to 40 km/h. This survey was the focus of a city report discussed by the urban planning committee on Wednesday.

But councillors agreed more input from is needed from Edmontonians, and asked city staff to return with a report to the committee in January 2018.

"A change like this will require some buy-in from citizens, and I think it's fine for us to take some more time,"Coun. Michael Walters said.

• Edmonton councillors to debate neighbourhood and playground speed zones
• Slow down: speed limit signs coming to Edmonton junior highs
• Police chief supports increased speed limit on Henday

City staff will consult with people at festivals over the summerand through schools in the fall, said Gord Cebryk, branch manager of parks and roads services.

These consultationswill include explaining the different types of neighbourhood roadssuch as collector versus arterialand what the appropriate speeds might be for those roads,Cebryk said.

Queen Alexandra resident Julie Kusiek was one of three people who made a presentation to the committee.

Kusiek said she would like the cityconsider an even lower speed zone of 30 km/h for neighbourhoods, particularly where people are encouraged to walk.

"My kids don't magically transport themselves from my door to the school zone. We have to walk across other roads to get there," Kuziek said.

The province still needs to amend the city charter to allow Edmonton to make a blanket change to speed zones in the city, so taking some time for input is a good idea, Coun. Andrew Knack said.

He said the conversation should godeeper and not just focuson whether a person supports one of two options, as the survey format allowed.

Knack also said there needs to be discussion about speed limitson collector and arterial roads, and suggested they should be increased.

"We want efficient movement of goods and people on our main roads, and if you have proper speeds on those roads, does that discourage people from short-cutting through communities in the first place?" He asked.

When city council is looking to make any kind of city-wideor sweeping decisions, it has to take its direction from citizens,Coun. Bryan Anderson said.

He suggested a plebiscite might be the way to go, but questioned whethera voter turnout of around 30 per cent would belarge enough.

30 [km/h] can be a very awkward speed.- Coun. Bryan Anderson

A change in speed zones also raises questions around enforcement, Anderson said. It could raise photo radar revenue by four to 10 times, he said.

"We might even be able to pay for our LRTs and provide free rides," Anderson joked.

Anderson said he received two photo radar tickets not long after the30 km/h school zones were implemented in 2014.

He was travelling around 40 km/h in each case, hesaid.

"I slowed down, but 30 [km/h] can be a very awkward speed."